George Clooney engaged to U.K. attorney, firm says

LONDON (AP) — George Clooney —Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor — is getting hitched, according to a London law firm.

Leading human-rights practice Doughty Street Chambers spilled the news Monday as it congratulated one of its own attorneys: 36-year-old U.K. barrister Amal Alamuddin.

The firm said its lawyers and staff “offer their best wishes and congratulations to Ms. Amal Alamuddin ... and Mr. George Clooney on their engagement to be married.”

Clooney, 52, was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993. He has since been romantically linked to several women, including British model Lisa Snowden, Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis and former professional wrestler Stacey Keibler.

But he has always downplayed suggestions he might marry again, telling Esquire magazine last year: “I wasn’t very good at it.”

The Beirut-born, Oxford University-educated Alamuddin is a member of Doughty Street’s international law team and has a high-profile client list. She has advised former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Syria, helped ex-Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko challenge her imprisonment and represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against extradition to Sweden.

Clooney, whose recent films include “Gravity” and “The Monuments Men,” is one of Hollywood’s most powerful actors, directors and producers.

He also has a strong interest in international affairs and human-rights issues, and has campaigned for action on the humanitarian crises in Sudan and South Sudan.

Doughty Street chief executive Robin Jackson said Alamuddin had been “utterly wonderful” since she joined the firm in 2010.

“She brings a bright light to everything she is involved in and I am so delighted at her happy news,” he said.

Clooney and Alamuddin have been photographed together several times since late 2013 and rumors of an engagement have been circulating for several days.

People Magazine reported that Alamuddin was seen sporting a large ring during dinner at a Malibu restaurant last week.